Theater
- The Lyric Opera season opens with Cherubini’s “Medea,” an 18th century opera based on Euripides’ classic Greek tragedy of vengeance and betrayal. Soprano Sondra Radvanovsky stars in the title role with tenor Matthew Polenzani as Giasone, Medea’s lover who abandons her to marry another woman. David McVicar directs. From Oct. 11-26 at Lyric Opera, 20 N. Wacker Drive. Tickets: $47+. Visit lyricopera.org.
- Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone’s Tony Award-winning “The Book of Mormon” is a musical comedy about two mismatched missionaries as they preach to the inhabitants of an African village. Jennifer Werner directs. From Oct. 14-19 at CIBC Theatre, 18 W. Monroe St. Tickets: $49-$126. Visit broadwayinchicago.com.
- City Lit Theater and Black Button Eyes Productions present “Strange Cargo: The Doom of the Demeter,” Timothy Griffin’s gothic horror, high-seas adventure inspired by the seventh chapter of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” in which a certain Count travels by ship from Transylvania to England as the ship’s crew disappears one by one. Ed Rutherford directs. From Oct. 10-Nov. 23 at City Lit Theater, 1020 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. Tickets: $38. Visit citylit.org.
- Kokandy Productions stages Frank Wildhorn and Steve Cuden’s “Jekyll & Hyde,” a musical telling of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic horror story of two men: mild-mannered Dr. Henry Jekyll and murderous criminal Edward Hyde. Derek Van Barham directs. From Oct. 9-Dec. 21 at Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St. Tickets: $45, $55. Visit kokandyproductions.com.
- Marjorie Muller’s “The Sporting Life” is a “coming-of-rage” story about a teenager and the witch who grants her a wish but at a cost. Kayla Menz directs. From Oct. 10-Nov. 22 at The Factory Theater, 1623 W. Howard St. Tickets: $10-$30. Visit thefactorytheater.com.
- Chicago Filipino American Theatre Festival features 13 readings of Filipino and Filipino American playwrights, artists and writers. From Oct. 11-12 and Oct. 25-26 at Rizal Community Center, 1332 W. Irving Park Road, and Oct. 18-19 at Hoover-Leppen Theatre, 3656 N. Halsted St. Tickets: $15, $40 festival pass. For a list of plays, visit circapintig.org.
Dance
- Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre presents Latinx/e Contemporary Movement Festival, a celebration of culture, identity and artistry. At 7:30 p.m. Oct. 11 at Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St. Tickets: $32-$72. Visit cerquarivera.org.
- Ballet 5:8 performs Gerald Arpino’s “Birthday Variations” and a world premiere duet by Kevin Jenkins plus “The Sea Is Flat” and “Dia de los Vivos.” At 7:30 p.m. Oct 11 at Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph. Tickets: $77. Visit harristheaterchicago.org. Julianna Rubio Slager’s “La Llorona,” based on a Mexican folktale, is performed at 2 p.m. Oct. 18 at Center for Performing Arts, Governors State University, 1 University Park, University Park. Tickets: $25-$74. Visit centertickets.net.
Music
- Laufey tours behind her new album, “A Matter of Time,” which continues to manifest her vision of jazz- and classical-infused pop music influenced by her love of an older songbook from Chet Baker to Carole King to Ravel. She’s “a phenomenon almost without comparison in contemporary pop,” according to the New York Times. At 7:30 p.m. Oct. 10 at United Center, 1901 W. Madison St. Tickets: $99+. Visit ticketmaster.com.
- Clem Snide (aka Eef Barzelay) worked with fan Scott Avett of the Avett Brothers on his 2020 album “Forever Just Beyond.” More recently he hooked up with another fan, Josh Kaufman (Bonny Light Horseman, Hiss Golden Messenger), for his latest release, “Oh Smokey,” “a tender ode to life, death and all points in between.” At 7:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at Robert’s Westside, 7321 Madison St, Forest Park. Tickets: $30. Visit robertswestside.com.
- The improvisational super group, The Third Mind, includes Dave Alvin (The Blasters, X), Victor Krummenacher (Cracker, Camper Van Beethoven), David Immergluck (Counting Crows, John Hiatt), Michael Jerome (Richard Thompson, John Cale) and singer-songwriter Jesse Sykes. At 8 p.m. Oct. 10 at Garcia’s, 1001 W. Washington Blvd. Tickets: $20+. Visit garciaschicago.live.
- Don Was & The Pan-Detroit Ensemble, which is made up of jazz musicians from the Grammy-winning producer’s hometown, tour behind their debut album, “Groove in the Face of Adversity,” a blend of jazz, juke joint blues and funk. The tour also features a full performance of The Grateful Dead’s “Blues for Allah,” in celebration of the album’s 50th anniversary. At 7 and 9:30 p.m. Oct. 10 at Space, 1245 Chicago, Evanston. Tickets: $47-$102. Visit evanstonspace.com.
Museums
- Classic sites from around the world, including Chicago, that no longer exist are the focus of “The Disappointed Tourist,” Ellen Harvey’s ongoing project that comprises 312 18” x 24” paintings set into a massive collage-like wall. The individual pieces look like old hand-colored postcards evoking nostalgia for our built environment. Among the 13 Chicago sites depicted are Mecca Flats, Berlin nightclub, Chicago Stadium and Gerri’s Palm Tavern. To April 19 at Chicago Architecture Center, 111 E. Wacker Drive. Admission: $15. Visit architecture.org.
Family fun
- Lumenaura Festival transforms downtown Aurora into a playground of interactive art. International artists create light installations ranging from projection-mapped buildings that respond to movement and laser shows. Plus there’s live music, workshops, a silent disco party and more. Oct. 10-26. Admission is free. For more information, visit experiencelumenaura.com.
- “Finding Nemo” is Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez’s stage adaptation of the beloved animated film about Marlin, an overprotective clown fish, and Nemo, his son who longs to explore the world beyond their home. Directed by Amber Mak. From Oct. 11-Jan. 4 at Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. Tickets: $16.75. Visit marriotttheatre.com.
- Groundwaves Generations is an afternoon featuring rapper Mega Ran, a live set by DJ Manti, art workshops, face painting, an outdoor play area, a scavenger hunt and more. Rapper MURS hosts. From 2-5 p.m. Oct. 11 at National Public Housing Museum, 919 S. Ada St. Admission is free, registration required. Visit nphm.org.
Halloween happenings
- Rough House Theater’s “House of the Exquisite Corpse V: Blood & Puppets” returns with a new immersive haunted house that features six unique puppet horror experiences that will get your blood pumping. From Oct. 9-Nov. 1 at Steppenwolf Theatre’s Merle Reskin Space, 1624 N. Halsted St. Tickets: $21-$46. Visit roughhousetheater.com.
- A terrifying experience awaits at the 13th Floor Haunted House, which offers two attractions — “Shattered Skyline” and “Nocturne 1893” — plus additional interactive experiences sure to up the scare factor. To Nov. 9 at 5050 River Rd., Schiller Park. Tickets: $19.99 (available online only). Visit 13thfloorchicago.com.